9 frame analysis

opening sequence research of limitless and flight plan

Both being Thriller films, Flight Plan and Limitless have a few similarities along with a few differences.

Mise-en-scene

Some examples how the differences between these two opening sequences are: in the opening sequence of Limitless, the mise-en-scene elements mainly conist of death as shown in the use of dead people and blood, also danger props are used such as guns and other weapons. However, the mise-en-scene elements Flight Plan are suits to show wealth and footprints.

The similarities within the mise-en-scene for the opening sequence in both films are darkness, this is used to put a mysterious feeling on the audience and make them wonder what is about to happen. Another similarity between the two are that vehicles are used, this can indicate to the audience that a chase scene could happen during the movie, this is a well known convention within thriller movies

Sound

The differences between the two films for sound that is used are: In the opening sequence of Limitless, a voice over is used in order to build the tension within the audience and tell them some part of the story at the beginning, a voice over however is not used in the opening sequence of Flight Plan. Also changes of music is used in Flight Plan to build suspense within the audience, this sound technique however is not used in Limitless.

Some examples of sound similarities within both opening sequences are in both films, hyper real sound are used and this is used in order to create tension by making small, quiet sounds sound much louder than they actually are... An example of how this technique is used within both clips is nervous breathing is made to sound much louder so that the audience can hear it. Another similar sound technique used is that at the start, the music gets much loader as the picture on the screen changes, this is used in order to make the audience wonder what is going on 

Editing

One difference within the editing that is used in both Limitless and Flight plan is that Flight plan uses the panning technique whereas in comparison, Limitless does not, panning is where the camera follows a subject such as person or car in order for the audience to see more than they can see on just one shot.

The similarities of editing within both opening sequences is that zooming is used and this helps create a closer picture for the audience and shows more detail. Also, cutting is used in both because this shows many different scenes in a short amount of time

Cinematography

The final convention of media is cinematography, the difference between both clips that uses this are: an over the shoulder shot is included in Flight Plan whereas in comparison, this technique is not used in Limitless.

Two similarities within both opening sequences are that a close up is used many times in both clips, the reason why this technique is used a lot is because it wants to show to the audience, the worried facial expressions that the characters have during the clip, this helps create suspense and tension for the audience. The final cinematography similarity that is used is a high angle shot, this is used in both opening sequences because the director wants to create a sense of being high up in both.

ident research

Syncopy Films Inc. is a British film production company based in London, England. The company was founded by award-winning film director, screenwriter and producerChristopher Nolan and his wife Emma Thomas as co-founder. The name Syncopy Films derives from "syncope", the medical term for fainting or loss of consciousness.

DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (DWA) is an American animation studio based in Glendale, California, that creates animated feature films, television programs, and online virtual worlds. They have released a total of 29 feature films, including the franchises of Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, Monsters vs. Aliens, and How to Train Your Dragon. As of August 2014, its feature films have made $12 billion worldwide, with its $420 million average gross surpassing all other animation studios besides Pixar($607 million) and Disney ($445 million). Shrek 2 and Shrek the Third are among the 50 highest-grossing films of all time, and fifteen of the films are among the 50 highest-grossing animated films, with Shrek 2 being the sixth all-time highest. Even though the studio also made traditionally animated films earlier, as well as a co-production withAardman Animations, all of their films now use computer animation. The studio has so far received three Academy Awards along with numerous Annie & Emmy Awards; as well as multiple Golden Globe & BAFTA nominations. In recent years the animation studio has acquired and created new divisions in an effort to diversify beyond the high-risk movie business.

First draft shooting script

Ident ideas

Detailed planning

story board (photographic)

story board (drawn)

final shooting script

Shooting Script

Shot	Type and description	Sound	Duration
Ident
1	Establishing shot to set the scene for the location, in this case the location will be a dark tunnel in an urban location.	Diegetic sound – (Traffic)	5 seconds
2	Shot/reverse shot of the two main characters speaking to each other, this will not break the 180 degree rule	Diegetic sound - Dialogue	10 seconds
3	Dolly of the camera tracking the characters when riding on their bikes	Hyper – real sound of tyres	8 seconds
4	Crosscutting of the two main characters riding home through the tunnel, one going in one direction (different scene) and the other going in the opposite direction (another scene).	Music from characters headphones and sound of bike moving	4 seconds
5	Over the shoulder of the gang entering the tunnel.	Diegetic sound - Footsteps	5 seconds
6	Hand held point of view shot of the victim (main character) seeing the gang coming towards them)	Diegetic sound - Heartbeat	5 seconds
7	Close up of the phone ringing to the other main character that just left him	Diegetic sound of calling sound	6 seconds
8	Black screen, sound of thump after the victim has been punched.	Hyper real sound - punch	3 seconds
9	Victim’s eyes opening (point of view shot) looking up to the roof of the tunnel (very blurred).	Diegetic – sound of the gang laughing and walking away slowly	6 seconds
10	Slowly fades out but camera is still looking at the roof with the friend looking over him but is very blurry.	White noise as well as the breath of the friend.	8 seconds
11	Black screen with the films screen titles appearing.	Opening Music for the film	20 seconds

Total running time without indent = 80 seconds

Initial ideas

Shooting script feedback

Pitch

Shooting script feedback

Audience research questionnaire

New Photographic storyboard 1 Snapshot 10 Nov 2014 10:43:18

opening sequence of James Bond Quantum Of Solace

opening sequence of limitless

thriller definition

Definition Of A Thriller

Thriller is a genre of literature, film, and television programming that uses suspense, tension, and excitement as its main elements.Thrillers heavily stimulate the viewer's moods, giving them a high level of anticipation, ultra-heightened expectation, uncertainty, surprise, anxiety and terror. Films of this genre tend to be adrenaline-rushing, gritty, rousing and fast-paced.
A thriller provides the sudden rush of emotions, excitement, and exhilaration that drive the narrative, sometimes subtly with peaks and lulls, sometimes at a constant, breakneck pace. It keeps the audience on the "edge of their seats", akin to a sensation of hanging from a cliff, as the plot builds towards a climax. literary devices such as red herrings, plot twists, and cliffhangers are used extensively. A thriller is usually a villain-driven plot, whereby he or she presents obstacles that the protagonist must overcome.
Common subgenres are psychological thrillers, crime thrillers, erotic thrillers and mystery thrillers.Another common subgenre of thriller is the spy genre which deals with fictional espionage. Successful examples of thrillers are the films of Alfred Hitchcock. The horror and action genres often overlap with the thriller. Thrillers tend to be psychological, threatening, mysterious and at times involve larger-scale villainy such as espionage, terrorism and conspiracy.


from- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thriller_(genre)

The art of the title

genre research of opening sequences

In this task I decided to look at three different types of thriller films to get a broader idea of conventions and help me to keep an open mind about the sub genre (if any) i decide to choose. I looked at James Bond quantum of solace as its a well known and has a good film rating around the world suggesting that the conventions of this are very likeable to a variety of audiences around the world. My second and third posts are from the films seven and limitless I choose theese two as they where both recomended from a variety of people and both i thought where very exiting and gripping.

group roles and responsibilities